First and foremost,
being a qualified ARC Lifeguard will greatly enhance your chances of being
placed! The American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard qualification is recognised
and accepted through all 50 US States as sufficient certification to work at a
camp waterfront. You would therefore possess skills that are extremely high in
demand, at summer camp! If successful it will also qualify you as one of our
Advanced Skills Counsellors, which means you get paid a bit more!

Is
the course difficult?

The difficulty of
the course really depends on your skills as a swimmer and your ability to learn
and retain information. The course is challenging and demands a degree of time
and energy. The courses are held over five days (consecutive or 2
weekends depending on location) and there is a good deal of time spent in the
pool as well as in the classroom. Although the courses are demanding, the
instructors are there to help you pass and a confident lifeguard on camp and we
have a very good success rate.

Do
I need any experience/qualifications?

The answer is NO!
You do not need any previous lifeguard or swimming certifications to take an ARC
Waterfront Lifeguard course. You should simply be a strong swimmer, meet
pre-swimming requirements and have a desire to improve your skills. However, it
is certainly to your advantage if you do hold a qualification such as the Bronze
Medallion, or NPLQ as the ARC LG course teaches similar aspects of
lifeguarding.

Does it guarantee me a placement?

The quick answer
is, it doesn't guarantee you a placement at camp but it will greatly enhance
your placement chances. It also depends on the time of season you may be offered
a placement. A camp may place you ahead of our courses and ask that you sign up
to complete the qualification prior to departing. You can sign up to the course
whilst your application is in circulation and we will let all potential camps
know that you will hopefully have successfully passed before you leave for the
summer. You do have to have completed your application and passed your interview
to apply.

Emma's ARC Experience...This is my third year doing the Camp
America programme being a lifeguard all 3 years! Seriously it's the best job on
camp! Fun in the sun is the only way to describe this role. I have done the ARC
Lifeguarding Course twice now to be re-certified for this year and the course is
an experience in itself, it sets you up for a fun summer ahead working on the
waterfront (both lake and pool) at camp. Informative, interesting and
inspirational. Emma - Returnee & Interviewer

Important Information

Before you
complete an application form for an ARC course we recommend that you read
through this information first. Click
here for more information
regarding the course and what is expected of you to pass.

Travel/accommodation for the courses is not included. Upon registering for
either course, we will send you recommendations of places to stay and travel
directions to each venue. We will also aim to put you in touch with other
participants, prior to the course starting, via our Facebook group. This will
hopefully help to plan travel and accommodation, as well as getting to know your
fellow Lifeguard trainees!

Spaces are limited
and we operate on a first come first served basis. To secure your spot on the
ARC Lifeguard course, please complete the enrolment form and return a scanned
copy via email to Dan Pugh at
dpugh@campamerica.co.uk. Once received, the course fee will be added to your
Camp America Direct account. Upon receipt of your ARC fee you will receive
confirmation you have been enrolled onto the course. This course is only open to
active participants on the Camp America programme.

These pages are designed to assist potential and current Camp America applicants. These pages and the views expressed here are not endorsed by Camp America or AIFS. If you find something that is incorrect or feel that something should be added, please contact me.
Tim Swale-Jarman